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Monday, August 8, 2011
Twins don't believe locker room outbursts help problems
Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire was seething after his teams listless, lifeless performance in a 7-0 loss to Jake Peavy and the Chicago White Sox on Sunday. In fact, he was fed up with his teams shoddy play all weekend in Chicagos first three-game sweep in Minnesota since 2004.With the Twins on the brink of falling out of the American League Central race, Gardenhire lumbered into the clubhouse ready for a red-faced, potentially expletive-laced tirade generally reserved for umpires following missed calls.I think if youre sloppy and it looks like guys arent really getting after it and working, thats a time maybe yelling works, Gardenhire said a couple hours before Tuesdays 8-6 loss to the Boston Red Sox.The manager arrived in his teams spacious confines after Sundays game below Target Field ready to unload with both barrels. Then he had a revelation his squad still cares.I was going to scream and yell, but as I went in there I realized there were some guys pretty frustrated, Gardenhire said. They took that loss pretty hard, too.The clubhouse rant is a time-honored tradition in Major League Baseball featuring anything from thrown chairs to fist-sized holes in walls. Occasionally, the blow-ups serve as an adrenaline shot for on-field improvement. But the division standings already have Minnesotas attention. Vitriol wont bring the Twins any closer to the Detroit Tigers.I dont think we need it, All-Star Michael Cuddyer said. But I dont think anyone would mind if somebody did it.Considering his tenure and clubhouse clout, Cuddyer would be the player most expected to step up if the team needed an animated talking-to from a Gardenhire proxy. But Cuddyer said such emotional outbursts are rare for the Twins and generally serve the perpetrator more than the team as a whole, allowing the screamer to get something off his chest.Center fielder Denard Span added that temper tantrums are best saved for teams lacking in effort which he said Minnesota is not. But even then, there are no guarantees.At Kansas City (in April), I wouldnt say I went off on the team, but I stood up in a meeting and said something, Span said. Then I think we lost four in a row.Tension mounted the first two months of the season as Minnesota scuffled to a 17-37 start, but the Twins remained poised and gradually pulled to within five games of first place in mid-July. The poor record wasnt easy to swallow in May, but Minnesota took solace in the calendar. With 47 games left to play, time is no longer on the teams side. As pressure mounts and the chances of an interesting September fade with each loss, the Twins hope to lean on their early-season experience and keep their collective cool.Its been tough, but weve handled it well, starting pitcher Nick Blackburn said. As long as we dont give up yet and compete, you never know what can happen. Crazy stuffs happened before.Panicking isnt going to make anything better, Span said before likening Minnesotas situation to the 10th round of a 12-round heavyweight bought.In that 12th round, the guy whos losing comes out throwing wild punches hoping for a miracle. Were getting close to that point now.Minnesota is chasing three teams in the division and trail the Tigers by 10 12 games. But the Twins also have 24 games left against Detroit, Cleveland and Chicago meaning theres still an opportunity to chase down a third consecutive AL Central title.A well-timed outburst from Cuddyer, Span or another Minnesota player could eventually be the stunning jab the Twins need to clear the cobwebs, right the pitching staff, tighten up the defense and improve the offense in time for one last push. To have another player come in and scream and yell that will get your attention, Gardenhire said. Ive seen it happen a couple times this year. Players like that. Players respond to each other pretty good.Gardenhire certainly wouldnt mind the assistance.
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